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고용률

B2 noun #4,500 most common 11 min read

고용률

goyongnyul Top 4,500

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 고용률 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 고용률 in your Level:

At the A1 level, '고용률' (employment rate) is a very difficult word because it is used in news and statistics. To understand it simply, think about a big group of people. Some people have jobs and work, and some do not. '고용률' is a number that shows how many people have jobs. If many people work, the number is high. If few people work, the number is low. You might see this word on TV with a percent (%) sign. Even if you don't use this word yourself, knowing it has to do with 'work' (일) and 'people' (사람) is enough for now. For example, if you see '고용률 60%', it means out of 100 people, 60 people are working. You can remember '고용' means 'hiring' and '률' means 'rate' or 'percent'. At this level, just focus on the fact that it's a 'number about jobs'.

At the A2 level, you can start to understand that '고용률' is a formal word used in society. You know words like '회사' (company) and '일하다' (to work). '고용률' is the official way to say how many people are working in a city or a country. You will often see it in simple news sentences. For example, '한국의 고용률이 올라갔어요' (Korea's employment rate went up). Here, '올라갔어요' is a word you already know. You can use '고용률' to talk about why it is hard to find a job. If the '고용률' is low, it means there are not many jobs for people. You should also know the opposite word, '실업률' (unemployment rate), which is the number of people who don't have jobs. These two words often appear together. Try to recognize the '률' ending, which you also see in '환율' (exchange rate).

At the B1 level, you should be able to recognize '고용률' in articles about the economy or social issues. You are moving beyond simple sentences and starting to understand more complex structures. '고용률' is a noun that describes a statistical state. You should know that it's calculated based on the working-age population (15 years and older). You might encounter phrases like '청년 고용률' (youth employment rate) or '여성 고용률' (female employment rate). At this level, you can use the word in sentences like '고용률을 높이기 위해 정부가 노력하고 있습니다' (The government is working to increase the employment rate). You should also understand verbs like '증가하다' (to increase) and '감소하다' (to decrease) when they are used with this word. It is a key vocabulary item for the TOPIK II exam, especially for understanding graphs and charts in the writing and reading sections.

At the B2 level, you should have a firm grasp of '고용률' and be able to distinguish it from similar terms like '취업률' or '경제활동참가율'. You understand that '고용률' is a more stable economic indicator than the unemployment rate because it includes everyone in the working-age population. You should be able to discuss the factors that affect the employment rate, such as economic recessions, technological changes, or government policies. You can use advanced verbs like '기록하다' (to record), '상회하다' (to exceed), and '하회하다' (to fall below) in combination with '고용률'. For example, '지난해 고용률은 전문가들의 예상을 상회했습니다' (Last year's employment rate exceeded experts' expectations). You are also expected to understand the social implications of a low employment rate, such as its impact on the birth rate or social welfare spending. This word is essential for professional communication in Korea.

At the C1 level, you can analyze the '고용률' in depth. You understand the structural issues behind the numbers, such as '고용의 질' (quality of employment) versus the raw employment rate. You can discuss '비정규직' (irregular/temporary workers) and how they affect the overall employment statistics. You are comfortable reading official reports from the Bank of Korea or the National Statistical Office. You can use the word in nuanced academic or professional arguments, such as debating whether '공공 일자리' (public sector jobs) are a sustainable way to increase the 고용률. You also recognize idioms and collocations like '고용률 쇼크' or '고용률 기저효과' (base effect). Your pronunciation of '고용률' (goyong-nyul) is perfect, following the correct phonological rules. You can lead a discussion on how the '4차 산업혁명' (4th Industrial Revolution) might lower the employment rate in traditional sectors while creating new opportunities.

At the C2 level, '고용률' is a tool for sophisticated socio-economic analysis. You can compare South Korea's employment rate with OECD averages and discuss the '고용률 70% 로드맵' (Employment Rate 70% Roadmap) in its historical and political context. You understand the mathematical nuances, such as how changes in the '생산가능인구' (productive population) due to low birth rates can artificially inflate the employment rate even if the number of workers remains the same. You can write professional-grade op-eds or policy briefs using this term. You are also aware of how different '고용률' metrics (e.g., 15-64 vs. 15+) are used to emphasize different political points. You can effortlessly switch between formal statistical analysis and casual conversation about the labor market, using the term with absolute precision and cultural awareness. You understand that '고용률' is not just a number, but a reflection of the nation's social contract and economic vitality.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

고용률 in 30 Seconds

고용률 refers to the employment rate, measuring the percentage of the working-age population that is employed.
It is a primary economic indicator in Korea, often cited in news to gauge the health of the labor market.
Unlike the unemployment rate, it considers the entire population aged 15+, making it less susceptible to statistical distortions.
Commonly paired with adjectives like 'high' or 'low' and verbs like 'increase', 'decrease', or 'record'.

The term 고용률 (goyongnyul) is a critical economic indicator in South Korea, representing the percentage of the working-age population (typically aged 15 and older) that is currently employed. Unlike the unemployment rate, which only looks at people actively seeking work, the employment rate provides a broader picture of how much of the nation's human resources are being utilized. In a society like Korea, which is rapidly aging and facing a shrinking workforce, this word appears daily in news reports, government briefings, and academic discussions about the health of the economy.

Economic Context: In economic discussions, 고용률 is often preferred over the unemployment rate because it isn't skewed by 'discouraged workers' who have stopped looking for jobs.

When you hear this word, it is almost always followed by verbs like 상승하다 (to rise), 하락하다 (to fall), or 정체되다 (to stagnate). For instance, during the graduation season in February, the media focuses heavily on the 청년 고용률 (youth employment rate), highlighting the challenges young Koreans face in entering the 'chaebol' or public sector jobs. The word consists of three Hanja characters: 고 (hire), 용 (use/employ), and 률 (rate). Understanding this breakdown helps learners recognize related words like 고용주 (employer) or 고용인 (employee).

정부는 올해 고용률 목표치를 70%로 설정했습니다. (The government has set this year's employment rate target at 70%.)

Beyond the macro-economic scale, the word is used when discussing social welfare. For example, the 여성 고용률 (female employment rate) is a frequent topic in debates about childcare and work-life balance (often referred to as '워라밸' in Korean). If the employment rate for women drops, it often triggers policy changes regarding parental leave. Similarly, the 노인 고용률 (elderly employment rate) is a unique focal point in Korea, as many seniors continue to work well into their 70s due to the pension system's structure.

Societal Impact: A high 고용률 is generally seen as a sign of social stability, as it implies that the majority of the productive population is earning an income and contributing to the tax base.

최근 IT 산업의 호황으로 인해 개발자들의 고용률이 급격히 증가했습니다. (Due to the recent boom in the IT industry, the employment rate for developers has increased sharply.)

In summary, while '취업' refers to the act of getting a job, '고용' refers to the state of being employed from a structural or managerial perspective. Therefore, 고용률 is the formal statistical term used to measure that state across a population. It is a word you will encounter in any reading material related to Korean society, business, or politics. It is less common in casual conversation between friends unless the topic is specifically about the job market or the economy.

OECD 국가들과 비교했을 때, 한국의 청년 고용률은 여전히 낮은 편입니다. (Compared to OECD countries, Korea's youth employment rate is still on the lower side.)

Using 고용률 correctly requires pairing it with the right verbs and particles. Since it is a statistical noun, it often functions as the subject of a sentence describing change. The most common particle used with it is the subject marker -이/가. For example, "고용률이 높다" (The employment rate is high) or "고용률이 낮다" (The employment rate is low). When discussing data trends, you will frequently see "고용률을 기록하다" (to record an employment rate) or "고용률을 끌어올리다" (to pull up/increase the employment rate).

Verb Pairings: Common verbs include: 증가하다 (increase), 감소하다 (decrease), 상회하다 (exceed), 하회하다 (fall below), 유지하다 (maintain).

In formal writing, such as a business report or a news article, you might see the construction "고용률 호조" (favorable employment rate) or "고용률 부진" (sluggish employment rate). These compressed forms are very common in headlines. If you are describing a cause-and-effect relationship, you might say, "정부의 정책 덕분에 고용률이 개선되었습니다" (Thanks to government policy, the employment rate has improved). Note the use of 개선되다 (to be improved), which adds a positive nuance to the change.

지난달 고용률은 역대 최고치를 경신했습니다. (Last month's employment rate broke the all-time record.)

When comparing different demographics, the word is often prefixed. 연령별 고용률 (employment rate by age group), 지역별 고용률 (employment rate by region), and 학력별 고용률 (employment rate by education level) are standard phrases. If you are a student writing an essay about the Korean economy, using these specific terms will demonstrate a high level of proficiency. You should also be aware of the phrase 실질 고용률 (real employment rate), which adjusts for part-time or underemployed individuals.

Colloquial Usage: While formal, you might hear it in a serious conversation about the future: "요즘 고용률이 낮아서 취업하기가 정말 힘들어요." (Since the employment rate is low these days, it's really hard to get a job.)

반도체 분야의 고용률이 높아지면서 관련 학과의 인기도 상승했습니다. (As the employment rate in the semiconductor sector rose, the popularity of related departments also increased.)

Finally, remember that 고용률 is a noun that describes a result. If you want to talk about the act of hiring, use the verb form 고용하다. If you are talking about the state of being hired, use 고용되다. The '률' (rate) part is only for the statistical percentage. Misusing '고용률' to mean 'hiring' in general is a common mistake for intermediate learners. Always think of it as a number or a graph point.

경제 전문가들은 하반기 고용률이 다소 하락할 것으로 전망하고 있습니다. (Economic experts forecast that the employment rate will drop slightly in the second half of the year.)

The most common place to encounter 고용률 is in the mass media. In South Korea, the 8 PM or 9 PM news segments on networks like KBS, SBS, and MBC frequently lead with economic indicators. When the National Statistical Office (통계청) releases its monthly labor force survey, the term 고용 동향 (employment trends) is used, and 고용률 is the star of the show. You will see anchors pointing to colorful line graphs showing the ups and downs of the employment rate over the past decade.

News Keywords: Look for headlines containing: '고용률 쇼크' (Employment rate shock), '고용률 깜짝 반등' (Surprise rebound in employment rate), or '역대 최저 고용률' (All-time low employment rate).

In a professional setting, especially if you work in HR, corporate planning, or public policy, 고용률 is a staple of meetings. Companies might analyze the 장애인 고용률 (employment rate of people with disabilities) to ensure they are meeting legal quotas. In these contexts, the word is spoken with precision and is often compared against the previous year's figures (전년 대비). If you are listening to a podcast about Korean society or an economics-focused YouTube channel like '삼프로TV', you will hear experts dissecting why the 고용률 is moving in a certain direction.

오늘 뉴스에서 이번 달 고용률이 발표되었는데, 생각보다 긍정적이네요. (The employment rate for this month was announced on the news today, and it's more positive than I thought.)

Educational settings also use this word extensively. In a Korean university's 'Economics 101' or 'Social Studies' lecture, the professor will explain the formula for calculating 고용률: (Number of employed persons / Working-age population) x 100. Students are expected to understand how this differs from the unemployment rate (실업률). Furthermore, during election cycles, politicians frequently use 고용률 in their speeches to either praise their own economic management or criticize the current administration's failures.

Workplace Conversations: "우리 시의 고용률을 높이기 위해 어떤 정책이 필요할까요?" (What policies are needed to increase our city's employment rate?)

통계청 발표에 따르면, 60대 이상의 고용률이 청년층을 앞질렀다고 합니다. (According to the National Statistical Office, the employment rate for those in their 60s and older has surpassed that of the youth.)

Lastly, if you are reading a TOPIK (Test of Proficiency in Korean) exam paper, especially at the level 5 or 6, 고용률 is a very frequent topic in the reading and writing sections. You might be asked to describe a graph showing employment trends or write an essay about the causes of a low youth employment rate. Mastering this word and its context is essential for anyone aiming for professional-level Korean fluency.

라디오 경제 프로그램에서는 매주 금요일마다 고용률 변화가 서민 경제에 미치는 영향을 분석합니다. (Every Friday, the radio economy program analyzes the impact of changes in the employment rate on the ordinary people's economy.)

The most frequent mistake learners make with 고용률 is confusing it with 실업률 (sil-eom-nyul), the unemployment rate. While they are related, they are not simple inverses. In economics, people who are not working and not looking for work (like full-time students or retirees) are excluded from the unemployment rate calculation but are included in the 'working-age population' denominator for the employment rate. Therefore, a decrease in the unemployment rate does not always mean an increase in the employment rate.

Confusion with '취업률': Another common error is using 고용률 when you actually mean 취업률 (chwi-eom-nyul). While both mean 'employment rate' in a broad sense, 취업률 is specifically used for the percentage of graduates from a school or university who found jobs. 고용률 is for the entire national or regional population.

Another mistake involves the pronunciation of the 'ㄹ' in '률'. Because of the 'ㄹ-ㄹ' or 'ㄴ-ㄹ' sound changes in Korean (liquidization or nasalization), some learners struggle. In '고용률', the 'ㅇ' sound at the end of '용' followed by '률' results in a clear 'ㄹ' sound (goyong-nyul). It should not be pronounced as 'goyong-yul'. However, if the preceding syllable ends in a vowel or 'ㄴ', it often becomes '율' (e.g., 비율 - bi-yul, 백분율 - baek-bun-yul). This rule is tricky even for native speakers sometimes, but '고용률' is strictly '률'.

틀린 예: 우리 대학교의 고용률이 높아요. (Incorrect: Usually '취업률' is better for schools.)
옳은 예: 우리 대학교의 취업률이 높아요. (Correct: Our university's job placement rate is high.)

Usage of particles can also be a pitfall. Learners sometimes say "고용률을 높다" which is grammatically incorrect because '높다' is an adjective and requires a subject marker (-이/가). You must say "고용률이 높다" or, if you want to use '을', you must use a transitive verb like "고용률을 높이다" (to raise the employment rate). Mixing up adjectives and verbs in these economic contexts is a common B2-level error.

Register Errors: Using 고용률 in a casual conversation about your own job search sounds very strange. Instead of saying "나의 고용률이 0%야," say "나 아직 취업 못 했어" (I haven't found a job yet).

틀린 발음: 고용율 (Goyong-yul)
옳은 발음: 고용률 (Goyong-nyul)

Finally, be careful with the word 고용량 (goyong-ryang). While it sounds similar, '고용량' (high dose/capacity) is used in medical or technical contexts (e.g., high-dose vitamin). It has absolutely nothing to do with employment. Always ensure you are ending the word with '률' (rate) when discussing economics.

전문가들은 고용률 지표만으로는 노동 시장의 질을 다 파악할 수 없다고 경고합니다. (Experts warn that the employment rate indicator alone cannot fully grasp the quality of the labor market.)

While 고용률 is the standard term for the general employment rate, there are several other words that describe similar concepts but in different contexts. Understanding these nuances will help you sound more like a native speaker and allow you to navigate complex economic texts more easily.

고용률 vs. 취업률: 고용률 (Employment Rate): Based on the total working-age population. Used for national statistics.
취업률 (Job Placement Rate): Based on a specific group (like job seekers or graduates). Used for schools and vocational training centers.

Another related term is 경제활동참가율 (Economic Activity Participation Rate). This measures the percentage of the working-age population that is either employed OR actively looking for work. This is a broader measure than the employment rate. If the 고용률 is low but the 경제활동참가율 is high, it means many people want to work but can't find jobs, which usually leads to a high 실업률 (unemployment rate).

대학들은 졸업생들의 취업률을 높이기 위해 다양한 프로그램을 운영합니다. (Universities run various programs to increase the job placement rate of their graduates.)

If you want to focus on the 'hiring' aspect rather than the 'state of being employed', you might use 채용률 (recruitment rate). This is often used by companies to describe the percentage of applicants who were actually hired. In social discussions, you might also hear 일자리 창출 (job creation), which refers to the process of increasing the employment rate by providing new positions.

Comparison of 'Rates'

실업률: Percentage of people looking for work who can't find it.
이직률: Employee turnover rate (percentage of people leaving their jobs).
결근율: Absenteeism rate.

경제 위기 상황에서는 고용률이 떨어지고 실업률이 치솟는 경향이 있습니다. (In an economic crisis, the employment rate tends to drop while the unemployment rate soars.)

In academic papers, you might see 노동공급 (labor supply) or 인적 자원 활용도 (human resource utilization). These are more abstract ways to discuss the concepts behind 고용률. However, for 99% of news and business contexts, 고용률 remains the most precise and commonly used term. When in doubt, stick with 고용률 for general statistics and 취업률 for school-related statistics.

정부는 고용률 지표를 개선하기 위해 공공 일자리 사업을 확대하고 있습니다. (The government is expanding public job projects to improve employment rate indicators.)

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The character 率 can be pronounced as 'sol' (meaning to lead, as in 'solsun-subeom') or 'ryul' (meaning rate). In the context of statistics, it is always 'ryul'.

Pronunciation Guide

UK ko.joŋ.njul

US ko.joŋ.njul

Stress is typically even across all three syllables in Korean, though the first syllable '고' may be slightly emphasized in formal speech.

Rhymes With

성장률 (Growth rate) 실업률 (Unemployment rate) 수익률 (Yield/Return rate) 점유률 (Occupancy/Market share rate) 출생률 (Birth rate) 사망률 (Death rate) 투표율 (Voter turnout - note: 율 here) 환율 (Exchange rate - note: 율 here)

Common Errors

Pronouncing it as '고용율' (goyong-yul) without the 'n' sound.
Aspirating the 'k' in 'ko' too much (sounding like 'kho').
Making the 'l' at the end too heavy like an English 'L'.
Confusing the 'o' (ㅗ) in 'go' with 'u' (ㅜ).
Failing to nasalize the 'ㄹ' after the 'ㅇ' sound.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 4/5

Requires understanding of Sino-Korean roots and economic context found in newspapers.

Writing 4/5

Necessary for formal essays and describing data in TOPIK exams.

Speaking 3/5

Used in serious discussions, but the pronunciation of '률' can be tricky.

Listening 4/5

Frequently heard in news broadcasts where speech is fast and formal.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

일 (Work) 사람 (Person) 회사 (Company) 비율 (Ratio) 경제 (Economy)

Learn Next

실업률 (Unemployment rate) 경제성장률 (Economic growth rate) 물가상승률 (Inflation rate) 비경제활동인구 (Economically inactive population) 생산가능인구 (Working-age population)

Advanced

고용 탄력성 (Employment elasticity) 완전 고용 (Full employment) 구조적 실업 (Structural unemployment) 노동 생산성 (Labor productivity) 유연 안정성 (Flexicurity)

Grammar to Know

-률 vs -율

고용률 (ends in 'ㅇ' -> 률), 비율 (ends in vowel -> 율)

Passive -되다

고용률이 발표되다 (The employment rate is announced)

Causative -이다/히다/리다/기다

고용률을 높이다 (To raise the employment rate)

Noun + 대비

전년 대비 고용률 (Employment rate compared to last year)

-(으)ㄹ 전망이다

고용률이 상승할 전망이다 (The employment rate is expected to rise)

Examples by Level

고용률이 뭐예요?

What is the employment rate?

Simple question with subject marker '이'.

고용률이 높아요.

The employment rate is high.

Adjective '높다' used with '이'.

고용률이 낮아요.

The employment rate is low.

Adjective '낮다' used with '이'.

사람들이 일을 많이 해요. 고용률이 높아요.

Many people work. The employment rate is high.

Connecting two simple sentences.

뉴스에서 고용률을 봤어요.

I saw the employment rate on the news.

Object marker '을' with the verb '보다'.

고용률은 퍼센트(%)로 말해요.

The employment rate is spoken in percent (%).

Topic marker '은' for general facts.

우리 나라 고용률은 얼마예요?

What is our country's employment rate?

Using '얼마예요' to ask for a numerical value.

고용률이 중요해요.

The employment rate is important.

Adjective '중요하다' with subject marker '이'.

요즘 고용률이 조금씩 올라가고 있습니다.

These days, the employment rate is slowly going up.

-고 있다 indicates an ongoing action or state.

정부는 고용률을 높이고 싶어 합니다.

The government wants to raise the employment rate.

-고 싶어 하다 is used for the third person's desire.

경제 뉴스에서 고용률 이야기를 많이 해요.

They talk a lot about the employment rate in the economic news.

'이야기' used as a noun for 'talk/story'.

고용률이 낮으면 취업하기가 힘들어요.

If the employment rate is low, it's hard to get a job.

-면 indicates a condition (if).

지난달보다 고용률이 더 좋아졌어요.

The employment rate has become better than last month.

-보다 is used for comparison.

청년들의 고용률이 낮아서 걱정이에요.

I'm worried because the youth employment rate is low.

-아서/어서 indicates a reason (because).

고용률이 70%가 넘었어요.

The employment rate has exceeded 70%.

'넘다' means to exceed or go over.

내년에는 고용률이 더 올라갈까요?

Will the employment rate go up more next year?

-(으)ㄹ까요? is used for speculation or asking an opinion.

정부의 새로운 정책으로 고용률이 개선될 것으로 보입니다.

It appears that the employment rate will improve due to the government's new policy.

-(으)ㄹ 것으로 보이다 expresses a future outlook.

여성들의 고용률을 높이기 위해 보육 시설을 늘려야 합니다.

In order to increase the employment rate of women, childcare facilities must be expanded.

-기 위해(서) indicates purpose (in order to).

고용률이 상승하고 있지만, 일자리의 질은 아직 낮습니다.

The employment rate is rising, but the quality of jobs is still low.

-지만 is used for contrast (but).

고용률 통계는 매달 중순에 발표됩니다.

Employment rate statistics are announced in the middle of every month.

Passive form '발표되다' (to be announced).

대학 졸업생의 취업률과 국가 전체의 고용률은 다릅니다.

The job placement rate of university graduates and the national employment rate are different.

Noun + 와/과 to show comparison.

고용률이 떨어지면 소비가 줄어들어 경제가 어려워집니다.

When the employment rate drops, consumption decreases and the economy becomes difficult.

-아/어지다 indicates a change in state.

전문가들은 올해 고용률이 작년과 비슷할 것이라고 예상합니다.

Experts predict that this year's employment rate will be similar to last year's.

Indirect quotation '-(으)ㄹ 것이라고 예상하다'.

고용률이 1%포인트 상승하는 것은 매우 큰 변화입니다.

A one percentage point rise in the employment rate is a very big change.

'-는 것' turns a sentence into a noun clause.

고용률 지표는 실업률보다 노동 시장의 현황을 더 정확하게 반영합니다.

The employment rate indicator reflects the status of the labor market more accurately than the unemployment rate.

Comparative structure '-보다 ... 더'.

고령화 사회로 접어들면서 노인 고용률이 점차 중요한 이슈가 되고 있습니다.

As we enter an aging society, the elderly employment rate is gradually becoming an important issue.

-(으)면서 indicates simultaneous actions or states.

수출 호조에도 불구하고 내수 부진으로 인해 고용률 상승폭이 제한적입니다.

Despite strong exports, the increase in the employment rate is limited due to sluggish domestic demand.

-에도 불구하고 means 'despite' or 'in spite of'.

정부는 청년 고용률을 끌어올리기 위해 각종 세제 혜택을 제공하고 있습니다.

The government is providing various tax benefits to pull up the youth employment rate.

'끌어올리다' is a common metaphorical verb for 'raising' statistics.

고용률이 역대 최고치를 기록했음에도 불구하고 서민들의 체감 경기는 여전히 차갑습니다.

Even though the employment rate recorded an all-time high, the perceived economy of ordinary people is still cold.

'-음에도 불구하고' is a formal way to say 'despite'.

비정규직 비중이 높으면 고용률이 높더라도 경제적 안정성은 떨어질 수 있습니다.

If the proportion of irregular workers is high, economic stability can drop even if the employment rate is high.

-더라도 indicates 'even if'.

지역별 고용률 격차를 해소하기 위해 지방 산업을 육성해야 합니다.

In order to resolve the gap in employment rates by region, local industries must be nurtured.

'해소하다' (to resolve) and '육성하다' (to nurture).

고용률 통계에는 주당 1시간 이상 일하는 사람도 취업자로 포함됩니다.

In employment rate statistics, people who work more than one hour per week are also included as employed.

'-도 ... -로 포함되다' (to also be included as).

생산연령인구의 감소는 장기적으로 고용률 수치를 왜곡할 소지가 있습니다.

The decrease in the productive age population has the potential to distort employment rate figures in the long run.

'-할 소지가 있다' means 'to have the potential/possibility of'.

고용률의 양적 팽창보다는 질적 개선에 초점을 맞춘 정책적 전환이 시급합니다.

A policy shift focusing on qualitative improvement rather than quantitative expansion of the employment rate is urgent.

'-기보다는' (rather than) and '시급하다' (to be urgent).

단기 공공 일자리 사업은 착시 현상을 일으켜 고용률을 일시적으로 부풀릴 수 있습니다.

Short-term public job projects can cause an optical illusion and temporarily inflate the employment rate.

'부풀리다' means to inflate or exaggerate.

4차 산업혁명에 따른 자동화는 특정 직군에서 고용률 하락을 초래할 것으로 전망됩니다.

Automation following the 4th Industrial Revolution is forecasted to cause a drop in the employment rate in certain job categories.

'-에 따른' (following/according to) and '초래하다' (to cause).

여성 고용률의 'M자형 곡선'은 경력 단절 여성의 문제를 여실히 보여줍니다.

The 'M-curve' of the female employment rate clearly shows the problem of women with career breaks.

'여실히' means 'clearly' or 'vividly'.

고용률 지표의 허점을 보완하기 위해 '고용보조지표'를 함께 살펴봐야 합니다.

To compensate for the flaws in the employment rate indicator, 'supplementary employment indicators' should be looked at together.

'-기 위해(서)' with '보완하다' (to supplement/compensate).

경제 위기 시기에는 고용률의 변동성이 커지며 사회적 불안정성이 심화됩니다.

During times of economic crisis, the volatility of the employment rate increases and social instability deepens.

'-며' is used to list facts or connect clauses.

실질적인 고용 창출 없이 고용률 수치만 관리하는 것은 미봉책에 불과합니다.

Managing only the employment rate figures without substantial job creation is nothing more than a stopgap measure.

'-에 불과하다' means 'to be nothing more than'.

고용률 70% 달성은 한국 경제가 선진국형 구조로 안착했음을 보여주는 상징적 지표였습니다.

Achieving a 70% employment rate was a symbolic indicator showing that the Korean economy has settled into a developed-country structure.

'-했음을 보여주다' (to show that something was done).

인구 구조의 급격한 변화는 고용률 통계의 분모를 축소시켜 수치상의 반등을 유도할 수 있습니다.

Rapid changes in the population structure can shrink the denominator of employment rate statistics and induce a numerical rebound.

'유도하다' (to induce/lead to).

고용률의 추세적 하락을 방어하기 위해서는 노동 유연성과 안정성의 조화가 필수적입니다.

In order to defend against the trend-wise decline of the employment rate, a harmony between labor flexibility and stability is essential.

'-기 위해서는' (in order to) and '필수적이다' (to be essential).

기술적 실업이 고용률에 미치는 파급 효과를 선제적으로 분석하여 대응책을 마련해야 합니다.

We must proactively analyze the ripple effect of technological unemployment on the employment rate and prepare countermeasures.

'선제적으로' (proactively) and '마련하다' (to prepare/arrange).

고용률 지표가 지닌 후행적 성격을 고려할 때, 현재의 수치에 안주해서는 안 됩니다.

Considering the lagging nature of the employment rate indicator, we should not be complacent with the current figures.

'-ㄴ 성격을 고려할 때' (when considering the nature of...).

노동 시장의 이중 구조가 심화될수록 전체 고용률 지표의 대표성은 약화될 수밖에 없습니다.

As the dual structure of the labor market deepens, the representativeness of the overall employment rate indicator is bound to weaken.

'-ㄹ 수밖에 없다' (cannot help but/bound to).

고용률의 질적 제고를 위해 평생 교육 체계를 강화하고 직업 전환을 유연하게 지원해야 합니다.

To enhance the quality of the employment rate, we must strengthen the lifelong education system and flexibly support career transitions.

'제고' (enhancement/improvement) and '강화하다' (to strengthen).

거시경제적 관점에서 고용률은 국가 경쟁력과 지속 가능한 성장을 가늠하는 척도입니다.

From a macroeconomic perspective, the employment rate is a yardstick for measuring national competitiveness and sustainable growth.

'-는 척도이다' (to be a yardstick/measure for).

Synonyms

취업률

Antonyms

실업률

Common Collocations

고용률이 상승하다

고용률이 하락하다

고용률을 기록하다

청년 고용률

여성 고용률

고용률 목표치

역대 최고 고용률

고용률이 정체되다

실질 고용률

고용률 쇼크

Common Phrases

고용률이 바닥을 치다

— The employment rate has hit rock bottom. It means it cannot go any lower.

고용률이 바닥을 치고 이제 반등할 기미를 보입니다.

고용률이 고공행진하다

— The employment rate is maintaining a high level. It implies a very strong labor market.

반도체 업계의 호황으로 관련 고용률이 고공행진 중입니다.

고용률을 끌어올리다

— To pull up or actively increase the employment rate. Often used in policy contexts.

정부는 인턴십 프로그램을 통해 청년 고용률을 끌어올리려 합니다.

고용률이 꺾이다

— The rising trend of the employment rate has stopped and started to fall.

상승세를 보이던 고용률이 금리 인상 여파로 꺾였습니다.

고용률의 질

— The quality of the employment rate. Refers to whether jobs are stable and high-paying.

단순히 고용률 수치만 볼 것이 아니라 고용률의 질을 따져봐야 합니다.

고용률 통계

— Employment rate statistics. The official data released by the government.

이번 고용률 통계에는 자영업자도 포함되어 있습니다.

고용률 격차

— The gap in employment rates. Usually between regions, genders, or age groups.

수도권과 지방의 고용률 격차가 점점 벌어지고 있습니다.

고용률이 상회하다

— To exceed a certain employment rate level. Used in formal comparisons.

올해 고용률은 작년 수준을 크게 상회할 전망입니다.

고용률이 하회하다

— To fall below a certain employment rate level. Opposite of 상회하다.

실제 고용률이 정부의 기대치를 하회하고 말았습니다.

고용률이 개선되다

— The employment rate has improved. Used when a low rate starts to rise.

경제 활성화 대책 이후 고용률이 조금씩 개선되고 있습니다.

Often Confused With

고용률 vs 실업률

Unemployment rate. It only counts those actively seeking work, while employment rate uses the whole working-age population as the base.

고용률 vs 취업률

Job placement rate. Used for graduates of specific schools, whereas 고용률 is for the general population.

고용률 vs 고용량

High dose/capacity. Sounds similar but used in medicine or technology.

Idioms & Expressions

"고용률 가뭄"

— A metaphor for a severe lack of jobs. Just as a drought lacks water, a job drought lacks employment.

청년들의 취업 시장은 그야말로 고용률 가뭄 상태입니다.

Journalistic

"고용률 훈풍"

— A warm breeze in the employment rate. Refers to a positive, welcoming trend in hiring.

수출 기업들을 중심으로 고용률 훈풍이 불고 있습니다.

Journalistic

"고용률 널뛰기"

— The employment rate jumping up and down. Refers to extreme volatility.

불안정한 경제 상황 때문에 고용률이 널뛰기를 하고 있습니다.

Colloquial/Journalistic

"고용률 늪"

— The swamp of employment rate. Being stuck in a low employment situation that is hard to escape.

우리나라는 장기적인 저성장과 고용률 늪에 빠져 있습니다.

Journalistic/Academic

"고용률 절벽"

— Employment rate cliff. A sudden and sharp drop in the employment rate.

정년 퇴직자가 쏟아지면서 고용률 절벽이 현실화될 우려가 있습니다.

Journalistic

"고용률 깜짝 반등"

— A surprise rebound in the employment rate. An unexpected positive turn.

지난달 고용률이 깜짝 반등하며 경기 회복의 신호를 보냈습니다.

News

"고용률의 그늘"

— The shadow of the employment rate. Hidden problems behind a seemingly good statistic.

높은 고용률의 그늘에는 저임금 단기 일자리의 증가가 숨어 있습니다.

Critical/Journalistic

"고용률 마중물"

— Priming the pump for the employment rate. Small initial investments to trigger larger employment growth.

공공 부문 일자리가 민간 고용률의 마중물 역할을 해야 합니다.

Political/Economic

"고용률 빙하기"

— Employment rate ice age. A long period of extremely low hiring and employment.

금융 위기 이후 노동 시장은 긴 고용률 빙하기를 겪었습니다.

Metaphorical

"고용률 꼬리표"

— The tag/label of employment rate. A persistent statistical reputation.

그 지역은 '최저 고용률'이라는 꼬리표를 떼기 위해 노력 중입니다.

Colloquial

Easily Confused

고용률 vs 고용 (Employment)

Learners often use '고용' when they mean the 'rate'.

고용 is the general concept of hiring/employment. 고용률 is the specific statistical percentage.

고용이 늘어났어요 (Employment increased). 고용률이 1% 올랐어요 (The employment rate rose 1%).

고용률 vs 비율 (Ratio/Proportion)

Both involve percentages.

비율 is a general term for any ratio. 고용률 is the specific term for the employment ratio.

남녀 비율 (Male-female ratio). 고용률 (Employment rate).

고용률 vs 성장률 (Growth rate)

Both end in 률 and relate to the economy.

성장률 refers to the growth of GDP or a company's revenue, not people working.

경제 성장률 (Economic growth rate).

고용률 vs 점유율 (Market share)

Ends in 율 and used in business news.

점유율 is about market dominance, while 고용률 is about labor.

시장 점유율 (Market share).

고용률 vs 환율 (Exchange rate)

Both are key economic indicators ending in 율/률.

환율 is the value of currency, 고용률 is about people working.

환율이 급등했어요 (The exchange rate soared).

Sentence Patterns

고용률이 [adjective]-아/어지다

고용률이 낮아졌어요.

고용률을 높이기 위해 [action]

고용률을 높이기 위해 새 공장을 지었습니다.

[Demographic] 고용률이 [verb]-ㄴ 것으로 나타나다

청년 고용률이 하락한 것으로 나타났습니다.

고용률의 양적 성장보다는 [noun]에 집중하다

고용률의 양적 성장보다는 질적 개선에 집중해야 합니다.

고용률 지표가 지닌 [noun]-적 한계

고용률 지표가 지닌 구조적 한계를 인식해야 합니다.

고용률이 [숫자]%에 불과하다

여성 고용률이 50%에 불과합니다.

고용률이 [숫자]%를 상회/하회하다

고용률이 예상치를 웃돌아 65%를 상회했습니다.

고용률이 [숫자]%예요.

고용률이 60%예요.

Word Family

Nouns

고용 (Employment)

고용주 (Employer)

고용인 (Employee)

고용 계약 (Employment contract)

고용 보험 (Employment insurance)

Verbs

고용하다 (To hire/employ)

고용되다 (To be hired/employed)

Adjectives

고용적인 (Employment-related - rare)

고용 불안 (Employment instability)

취업 (Getting a job)

실업 (Unemployment)

노동 (Labor)

경제 (Economy)

통계 (Statistics)

How to Use It

frequency

Very common in economic, political, and social contexts in Korea.

Common Mistakes

Using '고용율' instead of '고용률'. → 고용률
Spelling error. Following a consonant (ㅇ), '률' is the correct form.
Confusing '고용률' with '취업률' in a university context. → 우리 대학의 취업률
Universities use '취업률' for their graduates' success rate, not '고용률'.
Saying '고용률을 높다'. → 고용률이 높다
Grammar error. '높다' is an adjective and requires the subject marker '이'.
Using '고용률' to mean 'hiring' as an action. → 직원을 고용하다
The word '고용률' is a statistic (rate). For the action of hiring, use the verb '고용하다'.
Thinking '고용률' and '실업률' always add up to 100%. → Understand the 'Economically Inactive Population'.
They don't add up to 100% because the denominators are different. Employment rate includes everyone 15+, while unemployment rate only includes those in the labor force.

Tips

률 vs 율

Always check the final consonant. If there is a consonant (except 'ㄴ'), use '률'. If there is a vowel or 'ㄴ', use '율'. This is a common spelling test question!

News Scanning

When reading Korean news, look for percentage signs (%) and the word '고용'. This will help you quickly find the employment rate data even in a long article.

Nasalization

Pronounce '고용률' as [goyong-nyul]. The 'ㄹ' changes to an 'ㄴ' sound because of the 'ㅇ' before it. This makes you sound much more natural.

TOPIK Writing

In TOPIK Writing Task 53, if you see a graph about jobs, use '고용률' to describe the general population and '취업률' to describe graduates. Mixing them up loses points.

Word Roots

Learn '고용' (employment) and '률' (rate) separately. You'll see '률' in hundreds of other words like '확률' (probability) and '효율' (efficiency - note: 율 here).

Social Context

Understand that '고용률' is a sensitive topic. When talking to Koreans about it, focus on the 'difficulty' for young people, which is a shared social concern.

Economic Briefings

Listen to 'YouTube' channels like '삼프로TV' or 'MTN' to hear '고용률' used in real-time market analysis. It's great for B2+ level listening practice.

Denominator Matters

Remember that '고용률' is calculated using the 'working-age population' (15+). This is a common point of confusion in social studies classes.

Verb Choice

Instead of just saying '고용률이 좋아요', use '고용률이 호조를 보이고 있습니다' (The employment rate is showing a favorable trend) for a higher score.

Comparison Strategy

Memorize '고용률' alongside its antonym '실업률'. Learning them as a pair helps you remember the meanings of both more clearly.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Go' (고) as 'Go get a job', 'Yong' (용) as 'Young people', and 'Ryul' (률) as 'Rule/Rate'. The 'Rule for Young people to Go get jobs' is the Employment Rate.

Visual Association

Imagine a bar graph where the bars are shaped like the Korean letters '고', '용', '률'. The height of these letter-bars represents the employment percentage.

Word Web

고용 (Employment) 비율 (Ratio) 경제 (Economy) 직장 (Workplace) 월급 (Salary) 통계청 (Statistics Korea) 실업률 (Unemployment Rate) 일자리 (Job)

Challenge

Try to find the '고용률' section in a Korean news website like Naver News or Daum News today. See if the number is going up or down and try to identify the reason given in the article.

Word Origin

Borrowed from Hanja (Sino-Korean). The word is composed of three characters: 雇 (고), 用 (용), and 率 (률). Each character contributes a specific meaning to the whole.

Original meaning: 雇 (to hire) + 用 (to use) + 率 (rate/ratio). Literally 'the rate of hiring and using' people for work.

Sino-Korean (Hanja)

Cultural Context

Be sensitive when discussing 고용률 with young Koreans, as many are struggling with a difficult job market and may find the topic stressful.

In English-speaking countries, the 'Unemployment Rate' is usually the headline figure. In Korea, while the unemployment rate is also reported, the 'Employment Rate' (고용률) is often emphasized by the government because it highlights how many people are actually contributing to the economy.

The 'Employment Rate 70% Roadmap' (고용률 70% 로드맵) was a major policy initiative of the Park Geun-hye administration. KBS News 9 economic segments often feature a 'Goyongnyul' tracker. TOPIK II exams frequently use graphs related to '고용률' in Question 53 (Writing).

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

News Reporting

고용률이 역대 최고치를 경신했습니다.
청년 고용률 쇼크가 이어지고 있습니다.
정부가 고용률 통계를 발표했습니다.
하반기 고용률 전망이 밝지 않습니다.

Academic Papers

고용률과 경제 성장 간의 상관관계를 분석하다.
인구 구조 변화가 고용률에 미치는 영향.
여성 고용률의 결정 요인에 관한 연구.
고용률 지표의 한계와 개선 방안.

Government Policy

고용률 70% 달성을 위한 로드맵.
직업 훈련을 통한 고용률 제고.
지역 밀착형 고용률 안정화 대책.
취약 계층의 고용률을 높이는 지원금.

Business Meetings

업계 전체의 고용률 추이를 살펴봅시다.
장애인 고용률 법정 기준을 준수해야 합니다.
우리 지역의 고용률이 낮아 인력 채용이 어렵습니다.
신산업 분야의 고용률이 급증하고 있습니다.

Job Market Discussions

고용률이 낮아서 경쟁이 너무 치열해요.
문과 졸업생의 고용률이 특히 낮대요.
고용률이 높다고는 하는데 좋은 일자리는 없어요.
고용률 수치에 속으면 안 됩니다.

Conversation Starters

"요즘 뉴스에서 고용률이 사상 최고라고 하는데, 체감하시나요?"

"청년 고용률을 높이려면 대학 교육이 어떻게 변해야 할까요?"

"여성 고용률이 낮은 이유가 무엇이라고 생각하세요?"

"고령화 시대에 노인 고용률을 높이는 것이 경제에 도움이 될까요?"

"외국인 노동자가 늘어나면 한국의 전체 고용률에 어떤 영향을 미칠까요?"

Journal Prompts

오늘 본 뉴스에서 고용률에 대한 기사가 있었나요? 그 내용을 요약하고 자신의 생각을 써 보세요.

만약 당신이 경제부 장관이라면, 청년 고용률을 높이기 위해 어떤 정책을 펼치겠습니까?

고용률 수치가 높지만 일자리의 질이 낮은 상황에 대해 어떻게 생각하는지 서술하세요.

자신의 나라와 한국의 고용률을 비교해 보고, 차이점이 있다면 무엇인지 적어 보세요.

미래의 자동화 기술이 고용률을 낮출 것이라고 생각합니까, 아니면 새로운 일자리를 만들 것이라고 생각합니까?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

한국어 맞춤법에 따르면, 앞 음절에 받침이 있는 경우에는 '률'로 적습니다. '고용'의 '용'에 'ㅇ' 받침이 있으므로 '고용률'이 맞습니다. 반면, '비율'처럼 받침이 없거나 '백분율'처럼 'ㄴ' 받침인 경우에는 '율'로 적습니다.

이론적으로는 가능하지만 현실적으로는 불가능합니다. 학생, 은퇴자, 거동이 불편한 노인 등이 모두 '생산가능인구'에 포함되기 때문에 이들 모두가 일하지 않는 한 100%는 될 수 없습니다. 보통 70% 이상이면 매우 높은 수준으로 봅니다.

용도에 따라 다릅니다. 국가 전체의 경제 건강 상태를 볼 때는 '고용률'이 더 정확한 지표입니다. 하지만 특정 대학이 학생들을 얼마나 잘 취업시키는지 알고 싶다면 '취업률'을 봐야 합니다.

전체 고용률이 높더라도 본인이 원하는 '좋은 일자리'는 부족할 수 있습니다. 또한, 고용률에는 단기 아르바이트나 저임금 일자리도 포함되기 때문에 실제 구직자가 느끼는 체감 경기와는 차이가 있을 수 있습니다.

대한민국에서는 '통계청'(Statistics Korea)에서 매달 '경제활동인구조사'를 통해 고용률을 산출하고 공식 발표합니다.

일반적인 경제활동인구조사에서 현역 군인과 사회복무요원은 제외됩니다. 보통 민간인만을 대상으로 통계를 냅니다.

20대에는 고용률이 높다가 30대 결혼과 육아로 낮아진 후, 40대에 다시 높아지는 현상을 말합니다. 그래프 모양이 알파벳 'M'을 닮아 그렇게 부릅니다.

세금이 적게 걷히고 복지 비용은 늘어납니다. 또한 소비가 위축되어 경제 전체가 침체에 빠질 수 있으며, 사회적으로는 범죄율 상승이나 우울증 증가 같은 부작용이 생길 수 있습니다.

과거 정부에서 OECD 선진국들의 평균 고용률 수준인 70%를 달성하여 경제 선진국으로 도약하겠다는 상징적인 목표를 세웠기 때문입니다.

네, 포함됩니다. 고용률 통계에서 '취업자'는 임금 근로자뿐만 아니라 자영업자와 무급 가족 종사자도 모두 포함하는 개념입니다.